Nine Things You May Not Know About Billy the Kid

ID : 86506

Much has been written, filmed, debated and argued about the infamous William Bonney, aka “Billy the Kid.” He’s been described as a desperado, a villain of the worst kind. He’s also been described as a young man who headed down the wrong path and really, truly didn’t kill as many men as dime novels and tall tales have credited him. There was a softer side to Billy. He loved to sing, dance and entertain. Every chance he got he attended dances where he “cut the rug” with many an adoring señorita. Yes, he was ruthless, but he had to be to survive. But…he loved to sing and dance. After his mom’s death, Billy’s stepfather placed Billy and his younger brother Joseph in separate foster homes and left Silver City, NM. So, at the age of 14, the smooth-cheeked, blue-eyed McCarthy was forced to find work in a hotel washing dishes and waiting tables at the restaurant. The boy was reported to be very friendly. The manager boasted that Billy was the only kid who ever worked for him who didn’t steal anything. His teachers thought the young orphan was “no more of a problem than any other boy, always quite willing to help with chores around the schoolhouse.” Despite what we think we know about Billy the Kid, we don’t know the whole picture. We’ll discuss nine things you may not know about New Mexico’s famous outlaw.